President Donald Trump and his administration were barred from denying or putting conditions on the use of federal funds to jurisdictions who are declared as “sanctuaries” by a federal judge in California on Thursday.
According to the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge William Orrick, an appointee of former President Barrack Obama, said portions of Trump’s executive orders were unconstitutional and issued an injunction sought by over a dozen municipalities that limits cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In Orrick’s order, he wrote the Trump administration is prohibited from withholding, freezing, or put conditions on federal funds, and further order the administration to provide a written notice of his order to federal departments by Monday.
Trump has issued two executive orders targeting sanctuary jurisdictions. One order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withhold federal funding from these jurisdictions. The other mandates all federal agencies to ensure state and local governments do not adopt policies that protect illegal immigrants from deportation.
Lawyers from the Department of Justice argued on Wednesday, that it was too early for the judge to grant an injunction because the government had yet to actually withhold specific funding or put on any conditions on specific grants.
“Their well-founded fear of enforcement is even stronger than it was in 2017,” Orrick wrote, referring to the impact on illegal immigrants because of Trump’s immigration policies during his first term.
Tony LoPresti, counsel for Santa Clara County, said in a statement that “the Court’s ruling affirms that local governments can serve their mission and maintain trust with the communities they care for.”
The AP further reported that there is uncertainty about whether federal agencies will comply with the order. However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reminded recipients of federal transportation funds that adherence to federal laws, including immigration enforcement, is expected, with potential consequences for non-compliance.
